As heat shrink tubing is used in all electrical, automotive, telecommunications, and electronic industries, it has become an essential component in a variety of extreme environments. The superb protection, insulation, identifications, and strain relief the tubing offers provides safe and effective covering for wires, cables, terminals, and connectors.
Protecting and insulating equipment, machines, and devices helps to extend the longevity and durability of the product. Printed heat shrink tubing is available as dual-wall heat shrink tubing to enhance the safety of the electrical system by providing easy and quick identification.
Heat shrink tubing is a tough thermoplastic tubing designed to shrink in size around wires and cables which are inserted through the tubing. The tubing is available in a wide selection of sizes and can be cut to fit any length of cabling. Heat is applied to the tubing to form a tight seal or barrier around the components and ends of the cylinder tube.
Heat Shrink Tubing in Space Applications
With the potential challenges and threats the atmosphere of space offers in terms of extreme temperatures, radiation, and unknown trials, heat shrink tubing must provide radical durability and reliability. Exposure to humidity, ultraviolet light, chemicals, acids, and heat and cold can lead to decomposition of the wires and cables.
Aerospace vehicles and mechanisms are properly protected, restrained, and insulated with the thermoplastic tubing. Each section, device, and instrument requires precise identification, traceability, access, and flexibility of the various electrical systems’ components. The heat shrink tubing is crucial in protecting against the intense vibrations the electrical systems are exposed to.
Heat Shrink Tubing in Deep-Sea Applications
Deep-sea and other marine applications of heat shrink tubing are needed to protect all electrical system components, especially navigation and security structures. Waterproofing, insulation, and strain relief are other vital aspects of the tubing.
Water vessels face challenges from environmental conditions and temperature factors involving regular wear and tear, harsh weather, and the risk of corrosion. The sealing of all wires, cables, terminals, and connectors is fundamental to the reliability of a vessel’s operation.
In addition, marine crafts have the unique components of brass, iron, bronze, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper that require extra protection from corrosion from salt spray. The use of heat shrink tubing protects these materials and substances with a moisture-resistant and air-tight seal.
Heat Shrink Tubing in Extreme Heat and Cold
Heat shrink tubing requires resilience to the effects from extreme hot-temperature environments to prevent thermal expansion and fires. Industry-graded tuning offers flame retardancy, heat dissipation, and thermal stability. It also needs to be resistant to the fluctuating heat, which is possible thanks to the various grades of thermoplastic available to create the heat shrink tubing.
Extreme cold environments and weather conditions can also challenge the use and function of heat shrink tubing. Durable double-wall heat shrink tubing should protect against all elements including subzero temperatures, snow, sleet, and ice. Low-temperature performance must involve flexibility, cracking resistance, and robust characteristics.
Heat Shrink Tubing in Other Extreme Environments
Heat shrink can be used in various other extreme environments to protect wires, cables, and other mechanisms. The shift to using heat shrink tubing has grown exponentially in the past 30 years due to its durability, reliability, and identification properties.
Applications in the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry involves the manufacturing, repair, and use of both fuel-powered and electric-powered vehicles. Heat shrink tubing is used to protect, insulate, and bundle all wires, cables, and connectors of both types of vehicles. It also helps to safeguard against vibration, electrical shortages, and the effects of harsh weather environments. In addition to the wires and cables, it can be used to protect wire harnessing, connections, battery packs, hoses, pipes, diesel injection clusters, splices, and terminals.
Applications in the Chemical Industry
The chemical industry sees products exposed to aggressive chemicals, solvents, and other hazardous substances. Heat shrink tubing needs to be resistant to these while forming a protective layer to prevent corrosion. The durable cross-linked construction of polyolefin thermoplastic tubing allows for abrasion and temperature resistance. Depending on the particular use, the heat shrink tubing can be manipulated to be flexible while providing a rigidity to prevent absorption of harsh substances.
Applications in the Military and Defense Industry
With the stringent regulations of the military and defense industry, heat shrink tubing offers vital protection of equipment and sensitive components while providing resistance to harsh environments. With the susceptibility of extreme temperatures, shock, moisture, and abrasion, the wiring, cables, and connectors must have optimal protection at all times. Heat shrink tubing is used to preserve communication lines, reinforce cables, and act as an identifier of all integrated features of military equipment and vehicles.
Discover How ShrinkShop’s Heat Shrink Tubing Outperforms in Extreme Environments
ShrinkShop offers custom heat shrink label printing on all of our heat shrink tubing products. With more than 30 years in the business, we have serviced various industries, including NASA, with our high-quality products and excellent service.
We are a leading specialist in the manufacturing and distribution of heat shrink tubing and accessories for the telecommunications, electrical, automotive, medical, and military industries. Our state-of-the-art equipment delivers custom-cut and printed heat shrink tubing for all your wiring and cable covering needs. Contact us today!